Manager Pat Fenlon is staying with Shelbourne for the foreseeable future. The decision puts to bed, for the time being at least, intense speculation that he was readied for a move to city rivals Bohemians.

Bohemians are in the market for a new boss following player-manager Gareth Farrelly's recent departure and the club had made Fenlon their primary target.

Owing to the imminent sale of Dalymount Park, Bohemians are also set to benefit from a considerable financial lift in coming seasons and they had hoped to lure Fenlon to Phibsboro on the back of this.

But having taken time to consider his position, Fenlon - a former Bohemians player - has finally indicated he will see out the remainder of the season with top-of-the-table Shelbourne.

He said:  "We've a job to do here and I intend winning this season and staying in the job for the foreseeable future.

"The players have been phenomenal this season in sometimes difficult circumstances, as have our supporters, and I'd like to thank them for that and the best way we can do that is by collectively bringing the silverware to Tolka Park this season."

Fenlon refused to say whether or not he would leave the club - who have struggled financially at times this year - at the end of the season.

Bohemians, meanwhile, insist their hunt for Farrelly's successor is continuing apace.

When asked if the club was disappointed with Fenlon's decision to stay with Shelbourne a spokesperson told ireland.com that "nothing has changed".

"Our process continues as it has since day one. The hunt for a new manager goes on.  We are on the same track as before and happy with the shortlist we are working from.

"Perhaps the process has taken a little longer than we initially envisaged but it has been difficult to arrange interviews with everyone who has applied."

Fenlon may well have been Bohemians' preferred choice but the club are now unlikely to wait until season's end to sign him. Indeed, sources indicate a new manager will be appointed within a week.

Coaches Alan Caffrey and Pat Cleary have been in charge of team affairs since Farrelly's departure following the FAI Cup replay defeat to Shamrock Rovers.

Fenlon replaced Dermot Keely as Shelbourne manager four years ago and led the Tolka Park club to title triumphs in 2003 and 2004.

Shelbourne are currently four points ahead of Derry with nine league games remaining although Stephen Kenny's side - who face Paris St Germain in Europe tonight - have two games in hand.

• Shamrock Rovers are considering their options after an appeal against a three-point deduction was today dismissed by the FAI Appeal Board.

The eircom league's board of control imposed the deduction last month as punishment for the club fielding Paul Shiels while he was under suspension.

Shiels, who signed from the now defunct Dublin City, was suspended while playing for his former club and Rovers were unaware of the ban when he lined out as a substitute against Dundalk.

A club statement read: "The board of Shamrock Rovers is extremely disappointed with the decision which it feels ignored the complexities of the situation and the compelling mitigation produced at the appeal. . . the club is considering its options. "